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(By Paul Weyland) Have you ever wondered why we’re back at 1980s spot rates? Well, you can thank our friends at the advertising agencies, as well as our own poor negotiating skills. Imagine being present at the scene of the worst negotiation ever … between an advertising agency principle and a television general manager.

(By Ronald Robinson) There’s nothing like a new piece of terminology to excite and confuse the locals. The latest is “UX” (User Experience). We must love our terminologies, especially when they describe or re-label something that has been there all along. Say, they wouldn’t be talking about what an audience goes through when they hear our stations, now, would they?

The 30-second radio public service announcement is the latest bid by the Broadcasters Foundation of America to ensure their message reaches all broadcasters who are in need. The Foundation provides financial assistance to broadcasters in acute need due to critical illness, accident, or other serious misfortune.

The Tacoma station won 5 national awards at the 2017 Public Radio News Directors Conference, all from the station’s locally-produced culture magazine Sound Effect—“Your weekly tour of ideas, inspired by the place we live.” The show airs Saturdays and explores a different themes and presents provocative and smart conversations with insight and humor.

The Washington, DC, station has promoted WRQX Mix 107.3 Music Director Ashley Nickels to Assistant Program Director and part-time personality Seth King is now full-time host, nights. King’s show airs Monday through Friday from 7 p.m.-12 Midnight.

Award-winning rap artist Anthony Ray, better known as Sir Mix-A-Lot, and Seattle radio veteran Eric Powers will join the KHTP-FM HOT 103.7 (Seattle) lineup. Sir Mix-A-Lot will be on air during morning drive from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and Powers will be the afternoon drive host from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., as well as the station's Program Director effective July 5.

Coast to Coast AM host George Noory, who recently extended his contract with Premiere Networks, has released his latest book, Mad As Hell. Noory lets loose in the book about why his passion for our country’s welfare has him enraged and concerned about its future – but he believes we can work together to bring about positive change.

Conner worked in the radio broadcasting industry for over 47 years in markets including Chicago, Atlanta, Memphis, Augusta, Houston, and Columbus, GA. In 2016, he retired from Davis Broadcasting as the VP of Operations after 20 years with the company.

And now for something completely different. Ace of The Ace & TJ Show on Channel 96.1 has a childhood dream of jumping over multiple cars on a motorcycle. On Friday, June 30 at Iron Horse Motorcycles in Monroe, NC, that dream will come true. Ace & TJ will broadcast live from Iron Horse.

After much speculation that the Pandora founder and two-time CEO would step down, Tuesday was the day. As the Board begins its search for a new CEO, CFO Naveen Chopra will step in as interim CEO. Westergren is also out as a Pandora board member. President Mike Herring and CMO Nick Bartle are also gone.